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Central Iowa branded as "Cultivation Corridor"

by KIX101.1 /1230 KFJB News Departmentposted Apr 22 2014 10:23AM

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State and local economic development officials in central Iowa have come up with a brand name and logo for the region in an effort to create an identity similar to that of Silicon Valley in California.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Gov. Terry Branstad were among the dignitaries at the unveiling of the "Cultivation Corridor" branding of an area within a 60-mile radius of Des Moines.

The idea is to focus attention on the marketing of agribusiness, biotechnology and renewable fuel products.

Iowa State University President Stephen Leath helped lead the 3-year process of identifying concepts and coming up with the idea.

He says the primary goals are to attract and retain top quality workers in agriculture biosciences, expand job creation, and create a ripple effect in the economy statewide.